CHAPTER 25

ZAYN CARTER

The car ride hadn't even properly started, and I was already regretting my life choices.

Mom and Dad were in the front, with Dad driving and Mom fiddling with the music. Jenni and Ari's mom were seated in the middle row, deep in conversation about whatever moms talk about. That should've left me and Ari in the back, minding our own business like normal, functioning adults.

But then, of course, Lily had to ruin everything.

"I wanna sit in the middle!" she announced, already clambering between us before anyone could argue.

"Lily, there's more space in the middle row," Jenni tried, but the little menace had already fastened her seatbelt like a criminal securing their getaway plan.

"Nooo," Lily huffed. "I wanna sit with Zayn and Ari!"

Ari just laughed, patting Lily's head like she was some kind of adorable puppy. "Guess we don't have a choice."

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Yeah, guess not."

Lily grinned, victorious, while Ari shifted slightly to give her more space. That should've been the end of it. But no. Now there was an entirely different problem—Ari's dress.

It was still too damn short, and now, with Lily bouncing between us like a restless rabbit, it only made things worse. Every time Ari moved, even slightly, the hem would ride up, revealing more of her thighs. I tried to keep my eyes forward, focus on the passing streetlights, the sound of the car engine, literally anything else—but my peripheral vision was betraying me.

And Ari? She was completely unaware.

Too busy helping Lily buckle her seatbelt, completely oblivious to the fact that she was testing every ounce of my self-control.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stare straight ahead. This is going to be a long fucking trip.

"You guys ready?" Dad asked, his voice breaking my train of thought.

"Yep!" Lily chirped.

"Not like we have a choice," Ari muttered under her breath.

That actually made me smirk. At least I'm not suffering alone.

The car pulled out of the parking lot, officially marking the start of this so-called fun road trip.

30 Minutes Into the Ride

Lily was fast asleep against my arm, her tiny head resting on me like I was some kind of human pillow. I could feel her soft, steady breathing, completely at peace while I sat there, stiff as a damn board.

Ari, meanwhile, was staring out the window, probably lost in thought. The glow from the streetlights outside cast a soft, golden hue on her face, making her features stand out even more. She was resting her chin on her palm, fingers lightly drumming against her cheek.

"She's cute when she's asleep," Ari murmured suddenly, glancing at Lily.

I blinked, thrown off. "Who?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Lily, obviously."

Right. Lily.

I cleared my throat. "Yeah. Until she wakes up and starts causing trouble again."

Ari chuckled. "True."

For a moment, the car was quiet again, except for the faint hum of the engine and the music playing softly from Mom's playlist. Something old-school—probably a song she and Dad liked back in the day.

Then, out of nowhere, Ari shifted. Her knee brushed against mine, just for a second.

I shouldn't have noticed. It was barely anything. Just a small, meaningless touch.

But I did notice.

And now, it was all I could fucking think about.